Description
Mediterranean pastry pockets blend savory spinach and creamy cheese into golden, flaky parcels that whisper culinary tales of comfort. Delicate layers embrace warm, herbal notes, inviting passionate cooks to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Pastry
Cheese and Dairy:
- ½ cup ricotta cheese (or cream cheese)
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (or goat cheese)
- ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 egg yolk
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or 1 cup frozen, thawed and squeezed dry)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
Seasonings and Pastry:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Sesame seeds or nigella seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a fragrant spinach mixture by gently heating olive oil and sautéing minced garlic until aromatic.
- Add fresh spinach to the pan, cooking until it softens and releases its moisture, then transfer to a mixing bowl to cool slightly.
- Incorporate creamy ricotta, tangy feta, melty mozzarella, rich egg yolk, and a delicate blend of salt, pepper, and nutmeg into the spinach, stirring until thoroughly combined.
- Preheat the oven to a golden-brown temperature of 375F (190C) while rolling out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
- Carefully slice the pastry into even squares or rectangles, ensuring uniform size for consistent baking.
- Generously spoon the spinach and cheese filling into the center of each pastry piece, leaving enough room to fold and seal the edges.
- Delicately brush the pastry edges with beaten egg, creating a seal and providing a lustrous finish.
- Fold the pastry corners or edges to enclose the filling, creating elegant parcels or rustic triangles.
- Enhance the pastries with a light egg wash to promote a golden, glossy exterior.
- Sprinkle sesame or nigella seeds over the top for an additional layer of texture and visual appeal.
- Slide the prepared pastries into the preheated oven and bake until they transform into puffy, golden-brown delicacies.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly, then serve alongside a refreshing yogurt dip or crisp side salad for a delightful culinary experience.
Notes
- Squeeze excess moisture from cooked spinach to prevent soggy pastry, ensuring a crisp and flaky texture that holds its shape perfectly.
- Customize cheese blend by substituting with dairy-free alternatives like cashew ricotta or nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, creamy flavor.
- Experiment with additional herbs like dill, mint, or parsley to elevate the filling’s complexity and add a fresh, aromatic dimension to the pastries.
- Prepare filling ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, allowing flavors to meld and making meal preparation faster and more convenient for busy cooks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 100mg